UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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A cross sectional comparison of chemical treatment on plant biodiversity at Neudamm farm, Namibia
Get PDFThis study determined the impact of Tebuthiuron application on plant biodiversity over a three-year period at Neudamm farm. A total of 40 (1m2) quadrats were randomly nested in three 250 m2 belt transects per each treatment to record the herbaceous plant density, species composition, dry matter and ground cover. Woody plant density, heights and canopy diameters were measured in each 250 m2 belt transects. A General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS (2007) was used for analyses. The herbaceous biomass production was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in chemically treated site of 2015 (975 Kg DM ha-1) and least in the other two sites. The chemically treated site of 2016 had greater (P < 0.05) ground cover percentage than the other treatment sites. The canopy cover and woody plant densities in all woody height categories were higher (P < 0.05) in the control and chemically treated site of 2017, than the other two sites. The study concluded that the Tebuthiuron had impacted on the plant biodiversity of treated rangelands by improving the herbaceous plant species, biomass yields and reduced bush density. The study recommends that aftercare practices and application of arboricides be carried out routinely to allow herbaceous plants recovery.
Keywords: Bush encroachment, arboricides, plant density, biomass production, canop
Spatio-temporal variation in length-frequency and salinity tolerance of dominant fishes utilizing the Orange River-Estuary Continuum
Get PDFThe length-frequency distribution of the dominant species of euryhaline marine Chelon richardsonii, estuarine Gilchristella aestuaria and freshwater species Labeobarbus aeneus, Mesobola brevianalis and Pseudocrenilabrus philander were investigated seasonally along the Orange River Estuary Continuum (OREC) during high-flow and low-flow periods, conducted in eight different years, within a 15-year period (2004-2018). Fish were sampled using a seine net at 18 sites spanning from the mouth of the estuary up to 35 km upstream. The length-frequency distributions of all species did not differ between the high-flow and low-flow season. Spatial differentiation in size frequency distribution of all freshwater taxon was recorded along the river-estuarine continuum but not for C. richardsonii and G. aestuaria. Total catch-per-unit-effort (catch per haul, CPUE) was low for both M. brevianalis and P. philander and their abundance declined downstream into the estuarine region as expected for these two freshwater species. A negative correlation between salinity and fish length of all five species was found, demonstrating that juvenile fishes, in particular, freshwater species are less salt-tolerant than the adults. It is concluded that the lower OREC provides an important fish nursery habitat suitable for growth and development, particularly for marine C. richardsonii and estuarine G. aestuaria
Barriers affecting access to health information and health care services among the Deaf Community in Namibia
Get PDFHealth is a crucial aspect in an individual’s life as it enables people to enjoy their potential as human beings. Consequently there has been an enormous emphasis on equity in access to health care. Just like anybody else, Deaf people have a right to access health information and services and should not be discriminated against in any way. Unfortunately Deaf people are usually marginalised within society and as such their experiences with health care systems across the world
are not readily understood (Scheer, Kroll, Neri & Beatty, 2003). For example, it is assumed that everyone who seeks health service hears and can communicate in a spoken language to receive a standard quality of health care. This study explored the barriers experienced by the Deaf community when accessing health information and health care services in Namibia. The study applied a qualitative approach, and conducted semi-structured interviews with Deaf learners, teachers and other employees in purposefully selected special schools (now known as Resource schools, [MoE, 2013]) and centres for people with disabilities in Namibia. The results indicate that the implementation of regulatory and policy frameworks surrounding disability are still hindered by structural inequalities, social prejudices and stigmatisation of the Deaf community. Therefore, the study recommends changes in the broader structural and social arrangement beyond the health sector if Deaf people are to receive equitable health care
Oshiholekwa shokushanga onomola (4) mOshikwanyama she uya kombada
Get PDFThis paper emanates from a debate that took place in April 2020 at Onheleiwa between some UNAM students specialising in Oshikwanyama and one Oshikwanyama teacher working at one of the secondary schools in Omusati Region over the writing of number four (4) in Oshikwanyama. The writers of this study have then been compelled to explore deeply on how number four (4) is and should be written in Oshikwanyama. This study’s literature review is that of the Bantu writing system of numbers as well as publications written in Oshikwanyama. This is a qualitative study controlled by text analysis and interviews as methods of gathering data. Interviews focusing on the members of the public, elders, teachers and some scholars on how this number is written in Oshikwanyama have been conducted. The Interviewees’ answers were not that satisfactory. The common answer that has been provided by the members of the public is that, there is no common way of writing this number. Everyone can write it the way he or she feels is appropriate, although there is no a concrete reason why it should be written that way, apart from “osho ashike hashi shangwa ngaho” = that is how it is written, the answer which has no bearing at all. According to the investigation the researchers of this study have made, number four in Oshikwanyama is inconsistently written. Some people write it as ne while others write it as nhee. After a deep investigation was done, it is revealed that number 4 is written differently based on different lexical items’ environments. It has been found that number 4 is written as “nhee” when a person is counting things that belong to Oshikwanyama noun class 4 and 10 (cf. Oshikwanyama 18 noun classes). This study recommends all future Oshikwanyama writers to write number 4 correctly as discussed thoroughly in this paper.
Ombapila ei oya etwa po sha dilila peemhata da ningilwe kOnheleiwa odo da li pokati kovahongwa vamwe vaUNAM tave lihongele Oshikwanyama nomuhongi umwe wOshikwanyama ha longo kuimwe yomeesekundofikola domOmusati shi na sha nokushanga onomola 4 mOshikwanyama. Ovanyoli voshinyolwa eshi ova fininikwa opo va shitilile moule nhumbi onolomola ei mOshikwanyama hai shangwa noi na okushangwa. Omishangwa da longifwa moshinyolwa eshi ododo dOshibantu osho yo oinyolwa ya nyanyangidwa mOshikwanyama. Oshinyolwa eshi osholudi loinyolwa oyo hai ya po unene mokulongifa oitya nomadiladilo omoule, kwa longifwa elesho loinyolwa osho yo omukalo womapulapulo, ongomikalo dokukonga ouyelele. Omapulapulo epekapeko okwa li a pulwa ovakwashiwana, ovakulunhu, ovahongi osho yo ovanongononi vomishangwa shi na sha neshango eli lonomola 4 mOshikwanyama. Omanyamukulo ovakufimbinga va pulapulwa hao naana a li taa etifa eenghono. Enyamukulo la yandjwa kuvahapu vovakwashiwana ololo tali ti unene mOshikwanyama kamu na naana omukalo wokushanga onomola ei. Keshe umwe oha shange ashike omukalo ou e wete kutya u li mondjila, nonande kape na nande etomheno lofaafaa olo tali koleke enyamukulo laye, kakele kwaali tali ti “osho ashike hai shangwa ngaho”, enyamukulo olo lihe na omakanghameno nandenande. She likwatelela nee komashitililokonakono a ningwa kovapekapeki voshinyolwa eshi, onomola ei ohai shangwa sha yooloka. Vamwe ohave i shange ne omangha vamwe have i shange nhee. Konima nee yomashitililokonakono aa omoule, okwa monikwa kutya mboli onomola ei ohai shangwa sha yooloka, she likwatelela keyooloko olo hali hangwa moitya. Okwa monika nee kutya mboli onomola 4 ohai shangwa nhee ngeenge omunhu ta valula oinima i li mongudu onhi-4 osho yo onhi-10 yomeengudutyadina 18 dOshikwanyama. Oshinyolwa eshi otashi faneke ovashangi aveshe vOshikwanyama kohainga va shange onomola ei 4 mondjila, ngaashi naana sha popiwa nokukundafanwa nawanawa moshinyolwa eshi
Inclusive Education Policies versus Practices: Exclusion of the Included
Get PDFIn Namibia, education is an undisputable right (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 1992). The University of Namibia prides itself in being an inclusive education institution and it adheres to national and international legal frameworks advocating inclusivity in higher education. The research that forms the basis of this article emanated from a project of students offering Inclusive Education 1 as a module in teacher education. The research capitalized on a qualitative design in which students took to all spaces (physical, infrastructural, cultural, socio-emotional etc.) of the main campus of the University of Namibia to identify barriers to inclusive education. They were allowed to provide either descriptions (using words) and/or pictures of the barriers they observed. The findings of the study revealed a myriad of exclusive infrastructure and peace threatening spaces. Some of the images that emerged from these activities show a clear disconnect between policies and reality through the students’ “discoveries” of barriers to inclusive education. Hence the recommendation that universities have a responsibility to ensure that equality and equity are achieved and are experienced not only by policy developers and service providers, but also by the
beneficiaries of the policies
Evaluating service delivery in Namibia: A case study of the decentralized Khomas Basic Education Directorate
Get PDFThe study’s objective was to evaluate service delivery in the basic education Directorate in Khomas Regional Council through a triangulated method of data collection involving key informant interviews, observation and desk research. The population for the interview component of this case study consisted of about 128 staff members and the purposefully selected sample was thirty (30) staff members. Data was analysed by arranging the responses thematically in line with the objectives of the study. The study’s findings revealed that the understanding of the decentralization policy and concepts are different among research participants. The findings further revealed that there is a lack of inter-organizational collaboration and coordination with regard to the management of delegated education activities which leads to poor planning as well as refusal by seconded staffs to follow the correct reporting lines. The study recommends more sensitization, advocacy and training on the purpose and benefits of decentralization so as to address the problem of lack of understanding, lack of inter-organizational collaboration, coordination, planning and proper reporting mechanism
Perceptions of men experiencing gender-based violence in Oshana Region, Namibia
Get PDFGender-Based Violence (GBV) is a major public health and human rights problem globally. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the perceptions of men who experienced GBV in the Oshana Region in Namibia. The study adopted a qualitative research approach involving descriptive and exploratory design to collect data from 15 participants who were selected through the convenience sampling method. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the University of Namibia Research Ethics Committee. Written consent was obtained from the participants. Data were collected with the aid of an interview guide. The findings revealed that men who experienced gender-based violence were aged 30 to 70 years. Furthermore, most participants were either married and unemployed or with a low-income level. The study’s findings showed that participants perceive that GBV among men is influenced by stigma, embarrassment, patriarchal domination and cultural beliefs. Furthermore, this study found that the causes for GBV directed at men include alcohol abuse, unemployment and income disparity and is exacerbated by lack of awareness of men’s rights. The study concluded that GBV is a social problem in Oshana Region. Consequently, there is a need for advocacy and sensitization campaigns to reduce GBV directed at men
Mfumo Dume - Chanzo cha Ufungwa wa Mwanamume: Uhakiki wa Semi Kutoka Jamii za Kiafrika
Get PDFNumerous studies have been done on the patriarchy system, especially on how it affects women. However, there is a void when it comes to how the system affects men who are part of the society within which it has taken root. This paper, through various African sayings, carries a discussion on how patriarchy system has affected men and as a result they have found themselves in various types of confinements such as mental, emotional, cultural and financial. This study, through the data provided reveals how this system has not only affected women but men as well, the later being its primary victims. Furthermore, it is revealed that in order for the women liberation movement to be a true success, men liberation from this system should not only be considered but it is a requirement of great importance. In conclusion, the study gives various suggestions such as developing oral literature programs with themes that can change young boy’s minds on how they perceive themselves, girls and their roles in a society. Findings suggest that the fight against this system should not be a fight of women against men (and/or vice versa) or women and some men fighting the system, rather it must be men and women fighting against the system that has ensalaved both of them for so long
A Discourse Analysis of Metropolitan Namibia and Sanlam Namibia’s English Print Advertisements in The Namibian newspaper: : A Comparative Study
Get PDFIn Namibia, various insurance companies (inclusive of Metropolitan and Sanlam Namibia) place English advertisements in The Namibian newspaper for persuasion purposes. This paper investigates the English language of persuasion leveraged in the two companies’ print advertisements. It equally explores the various advertising techniques that support the English language of persuasion in selected print advertisements. A qualitative approach was used to analyse the advertisements in The Namibian newspaper. A desktop study, which employed discourse and content analysis as data collection methods, was utilised. Data collected were critically examined based on the English language employed in selected print advertisements. The paper was informed by a critical discourse analysis theory which addresses issues of how social relations, identity, knowledge and power are constructed through written and spoken texts in various communities, schools, the media, and the political arena. This study reveals that three language elements are utilised in selected advertisements. The first is the pattern of print advertisement, which focuses on the headline, body copy, slogan and logos. The second is thelanguage leveraged in each advertisement, with the use of elements like alliteration, repetition, metaphors, similes, puns, personification, adjectives and adverbs. The third is a revelation of various advertising techniques that support the English language used in selected advertisements. These findings suggest that along with most linguistic elements, the Aristotelian elements (ethos, pathos and logos) and the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire and Action) principle of advertising were necessary ingredients of persuasion in the advertisements
Utoshelevu wa Mawasiliano kwa Kiswahili katika Teknolojia ya SIKANU:: Uchunguzi Kifani wa WhatsApp
Get PDFThis paper investigated the adequacy of Kiswahili communication, the most famous and widely used African language, communication in Smartphone technology basing on WhatsApp. Specifically, the analysis relied on Tecno F1. The methodology used was content analysis whereby Kiswahili directives were examined to check how adequate and effective are they. The criteria considered are comprehension/making sense, availability of vocabulary in Kiswahili dictionaries and in daily use, noun classes, affixation and word order. The analysis showed that vocabulary used in the application is, to some extent, sufficient to serve communication purpose to its users. There are words which are very familiar to the users and others are new. The new ones are formed to fill the commucative blankness which is created by the new discoveries. The results showed further that the formation of the words is in line with Kiswahili word formation processes. Likewise, the investigation showed that some verbs were given new meanings to meet new communication to the WhatsApp users. With regard to grammar, most of directives observed to follow Kiswahili word order and affixation rules. However, there are ungrammatical constructions found, mostly, caused by literal translation. Following these results, the paper suggests more efforts to develop and spread Kiswahili, especially to Tanzanians in order to give the language supremacy to be used in science and technology. The use of Swahili will accelerate the development and economic competitiveness in particular among Tanzanians, Africans and other competitors worldwide.
Makala hii inahusu uchunguzi wa utoshelevu wa mawasiliano kwa Kiswahili katika teknolojia ya SIKANU. Uchunguzi umejikita katika programu tumizi ya SIKANU ijulikanayo kwa jina la WhatsApp na simu ya mkononi aina ya Tecno F1 imetumiwa kama uchunguzi kifani. Utafiti umetumia mkabala wa kitaamuli, ambapo maelezo na maelekezo ya Kiswahili yaliyomo katika WhatsApp yamechunguzwa katika kupima utoshelevuake. Vigezo vilivyotumika kupima utoshelevu wa mawasiliano hayo ni uelewekaji, uwepo wa msamiati katika kamusi za Kiswahili na katika matumizi ya wazungumzaji, ngeli za nomino, mpangilio wa viambishi na wa maneno katika tungo. Uchanganuzi umeonesha kuwa msamiati unaotumika katika WhatsApp, kwa kiasi kikubwa, ni toshelevu kiasi cha kukidhi mawasiliano baina ya watumiaji wake. Kuna msamiati ambao unafahamika na kuzoeleka kwa watumiaji na mwingine ni mapya. Msamiati mpya unaundwa kuziba mwanya wa mawasiliano unaotokana na ugunduzi wa mambo mapya. Kadhalika, matokeo ya utafiti yameonesha kuwa uundaji wa msamiati mpya unaakisi michakato ya uundaji wa maneno ya Kiswahili kwa kiasi kikubwa. Vilevile, matokeo yameonesha kuwa baadhi ya vitenzi vinapatiwa maana mpya ili kukidhi mawasiliano mapya ya watumiaji wa WhatsApp. Kuhusu sarufi, maelezo na maelekezo mengi yameonekana kuzingatia mpangilio wa maneno na kanuni za uambishaji za Kiswahili. Kwa upande mwingine, matokeo ya utafiti yameonesha utosarufi katika miundo ya Kiswahili. Utosarufi huo, kwa kiasi kikubwa, unasababishwa na tafsiri sisisi. Kufuatia matokeo haya, makala hii inapendekeza kwamba Watanzania na Waafrika kwa ujumla wajitihidi kuikuza na kuiendeleza lugha ya Kiswahili ili kuipa umashuhuri zaidi na kuiwezesha kutumika katika nyanja za sayansi na teknolojia. Kwa kufanya hivyo, matumizi ya Kiswahili yataongeza kasi ya maendeleo na ushindani wa kiuchumi miongoni mwa Watanzania, Waafrika na walimwengu wengine